"A good many of you are probably acquainted with the old proverb, "Speak softly and carry a big stick — you will go far." If a man continually blusters, if he lacks civility, a big stick will not save him from trouble, and neither will speaking softly avail, if back of the softness there does not lie strength, power … So it is with the nation. It is both foolish and undignified to indulge in undue self-glorification, and, above all, in loose-tongued denunciation of other peoples."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Theodore Roosevelt, speech at Minnesota State Fair, as it appeared in the Minneapolis Tribune (3 September 1901)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Civility
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Civility
17 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Civility →
Related Quotes
"Politeness and civility are the best capital ever invested in business."
"Fortunately for you, we British judge man’s civility not by his compassion for his friends, but by his compassion for…"
"Civility is not a tactic or a sentiment. It is the determined choice of trust over cynicism, of community over chaos.…"
"In one aspect civilization is the habit of civility; and civility is the refinement which townsmen, who made the word…"
"Disobedience without civility, discipline, discrimination, non-violence, is certain destruction. Disobedience combine…"
"Straightforwardness without civility is like a surgeon's knife, effective but unpleasant. Candor with courtesy is hel…"
"A winning wave, deserving note, In the tempestuous petticoat: A careless shoe-string, in whose tie I see a wild civil…"
"There is so great a need for civility and mutual respect among those of differing beliefs and philosophies. We must n…"
"Civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But…"
"We proved that with civility, common sense, building bridges, working with coalitions and working with people one at …"